Guiding device

Abstract

A guiding device includes: a laser light source that emits a laser beam; and a linear guiding portion that propagates the laser beam and is extended in the guiding direction on a road surface on which a mobile body moves. The linear guiding portion is provided with a function of radiating the laser beam in the guiding direction from the surface where linear guiding portion extends, while propagating the laser beam, and guiding the mobile body by light.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A guiding device that guides a mobile body by light, comprising:
 a laser light source that emits a laser beam, and   a linear guiding portion that propagates the laser beam and is extended in a guiding direction on a road surface on which the mobile body travels, wherein   the linear guiding portion irradiates the laser beam with directivity in the guiding direction from a surface where the linear guiding portion extends, while propagating the laser beam,   the linear guiding portion includes a taper fiber in which the cross section diameter varies depending on a distance from the laser light source, and   the laser beam enters the taper fiber from a side having a large cross section diameter.   
     
     
         29 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , wherein
 the laser light source is disposed outside the road surface or below the road surface.   
     
     
         30 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , wherein
 the linear guiding portion includes a fiber having a core and a cladding, and   at least one of the core and the cladding includes a diffusing material.   
     
     
         31 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , wherein the linear guiding portion includes a fiber having a core and a cladding, and a refractive index of the core is lower than a refractive index of the cladding. 
     
     
         32 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , wherein a taper angle of the tapered fiber varies with a distance from the laser light source. 
     
     
         33 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , wherein
 the linear guiding portion includes a propagation portion and an irradiation portion,   the propagation portion is a fiber that is not tapered, and   the irradiation portion is the tapered fiber.   
     
     
         34 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , wherein
 the linear guiding portion has an annular structure, with an end portion thereof being connected to an entry portion of the laser beam.   
     
     
         35 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , further comprising
 a control unit that controls the laser light source and changes an emission frequency or color of the laser beam, wherein   the control unit provides information to a driver of the mobile body by modulating the emission frequency of the laser beam within a range from 0.2 Hz to 10 Hz or by changing the color of the laser beam.   
     
     
         36 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , further comprising
 a modulation unit that modulates the laser beam,   the modulation unit modulating the laser beam as a carrier and transmitting information to the mobile body.   
     
     
         37 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 an optical sensor that detects a lightness of the road surface; and   a control unit that controls the laser light source on the basis of a detection result of the human body detection sensor.   
     
     
         38 . The guiding device according to  claim 28 ,
 the linear guiding portion further comprises:   a human body detection sensor that detects the presence of a pedestrian; and   a control unit that controls the laser light source on the basis of a detection result of the human body detection sensor.